Ten Questions Job Seekers Should Ask in an Interview

Many job seekers walk into an interview ill-prepared, expecting the employer to ask all the questions. Contrary to popular belief, the most important questions of the interview might be those that you, the candidate, ask. Ford R. Myers, Career Coach, Speaker and Author of “Get The Job You Want, Even When No One’s Hiring,” (John Wiley & Sons, http://www.getthejobbook.com) says, “Asking smart questions will help the job seeker sound articulate, well-prepared and genuinely interested in working for the organization.”To find out as much as possible about the prospective employer, Myers suggests job seekers include the following 10 questions in the interview process:

1. Can you give me more detail about the position’s responsibilities?2. Where do you see this position going in the next few years?3. How can I most quickly become a strong contributor within the organization?4. What are the most challenging aspects of the job for which I am being considered?5. How will my performance be evaluated, and at what frequency?6. What particular aspects about my background and experience interest you?7. What makes you think I will be successful in this job? What causes you concern about my candidacy?8. Now that we’ve had a chance to talk, how does my background measure up to the requirements of the job? To the other candidates?9. Where are you in the hiring process? What’s our next step?10. If I don’t hear from you within (time period), may I get back in touch with you for an update?

“It is always best for job seekers to prepare thoroughly for an interview by studying and practicing both the answers and potential questions. The time one invests in this process pays off with more – and better – job offers,” says Myers.